Materials Use

Alcoa Eyes A Leap Into Solar Industry

March 19, 2010 – The aluminum giant Alcoa has developed a new type of solar reflector technology which could dramatically lower the cost of building solar thermal plants. The company is trying to replace the traditional glass reflective surface on the solar reflectors with a more familiar material – aluminum. READ MORE

Sanyo Opens Solar-Charging Bike Lots

March 18, 2010 – Japanese Electronics manufacturer Sanyo announced this week that they have opened 2 solar powered parking lots in Tokyo, in close proximity to commuter train stations, where 100 of the company’s “Eneloop” hybrid-electric bicycles can be recharged using rooftop solar panels. READ MORE

IBM Makes Biodegradable Plastic From Plants

March 10, 2010 - IBM researchers on Tuesday said they have discovered a way to make Earth-friendly plastic from plants that could replace petroleum-based products tough on the environment. READ MORE

Plastiki: Designed for Sustainability

Plastiki Expedition Leader David De Rothschild recently took some time to speak with SLM’s Lindsey Whited, describing his use of biomimicry in designing boat hulls and how his expedition highlights our need for more efficient, intelligent design in the sustainability movement. READ MORE

Nike World Cup Uniforms Made From 100% Recycled PET

March 9, 2010 – With only 3 months left until the first kick, Nike has unveiled their uniforms for the 2010 World Cup taking place in South Africa. Nine teams including Brazil, England and the Netherlands will be clad in kits made of 100% recycled PET bottles which have be converted into polyester yarn. READ MORE

AT&T Reduces Packaging & Launches Supplier Sustainability Standards

March 5, 2010 – One of the nation’s largest telecommunications companies expects to save over 200 tons of plastic waste in 2010 due to reduced materials use in packaging, eliminating 60% of paper and 30% of the plastic used to package wireless products and their accessories. READ MORE

Electric cars 'no greener than diesel', study claims

March 4, 2010 - Switching from diesel to electric cars will not dent transport's carbon footprint over the next 15 years as long as Europe's electricity supply remains based on fossil fuels, according to Danish analysis. READ MORE

Senate to Revive $1/Gallon Biodiesel Tax Credit

March 3, 2010 – The current Jobs bill up for consideration in the Senate includes a biodiesel tax credit of $1 per gallon for soya farmers, after the same credit expired at the end of 2009. Since the credit expired, approximately 12% of the U.S soy cultivation has virtually ceased. READ MORE

Google Could Halve Solar Thermal Costs with New Mirror Technology

March 1, 2010 – Google, Inc. has developed a new prototype mirror technology which has the potential to halve the cost of building a new solar thermal plant, the company announced Friday. The product could move from prototype to production model in one to three years. READ MORE

Bridgestone Unveils New Line of Sustainable Tires

February 18, 2010 – At the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, Bridgestone showcased their new brand of environmentally friendly tires, the Ecopia EP422 line. The tires are designed to drastically decrease rolling resistance, improving gas mileage and increasing their useful life to over 65,000 miles. READ MORE
Syndicate content